Netflix pledges to keep HBO team intact after Warner Bros. deal

Netflix ↘ 2.86% co-CEO Greg Peters confirmed the streaming giant plans to keep the HBO team intact after completing its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery ↗ 0.03%, providing assurances about the future of one of Hollywood's most acclaimed programming units during a time of corporate uncertainty.

"We're going to keep that HBO team and that HBO team is good at working with that talent and giving them the environment that they need to tell those amazing stories," Peters said in an interview with Stratechery published January 22. "They get to do it under a great brand that speaks to the kind of program they're trying to make, and we're going to give them a bigger audience."stratechery

HBO Brand to Remain

The comments represent the most explicit confirmation yet that Netflix intends to preserve HBO's creative leadership and brand identity following the $83 billion deal announced in December 2025. Peters described HBO as "a real acme of quality" that signals to consumers the type of programming they can expect, calling it "an incredibly important opportunity" for the combined company.about.netflix+2

The assurance suggests Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, and other key executives are likely to retain their positions. Bloys himself expressed confidence about HBO's future when asked about job security in November, saying he took "great pride" in what the team has accomplished and hoped to see that legacy continue.finance.yahoo

Netflix has not finalized how it will integrate HBO and HBO Max with its existing platform. When asked whether they would operate as separate services or combine, Peters acknowledged the question remains open. "This is the kind of thing we would want to sort out and we've got some thinking to do," he said, adding that Netflix's experience with bundling partners shows "we can make a better product for consumers, lower price ultimately".stratechery

Competing Bids and All-Cash Offer

The remarks come as Netflix battles a competing bid from Paramount Skydance, which is offering $108 billion for the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery. Netflix revised its offer to all-cash on January 20 at $27.75 per share, seeking to counter Paramount's aggressive pursuit.cnn+2

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has also moved to address concerns about theatrical releases, committing to maintain 45-day theatrical windows for Warner Bros. films. "We're 100% committed to releasing Warner films in theaters with industry-standard windows," Sarandos stated.reddit+2

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders are expected to vote on Netflix's amended offer by April 2026, with the transaction anticipated to close within 12 to 18 months pending regulatory approval.wikipedia